Yesterday the NHL announced the move of the Atlanta Thrashers, a team Hnidy once played for, to Winnipeg for the start of next season.

“I did play in Atlanta and I had a great time there, it’s a great city, great people,” said Hnidy yesterday during media day at the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, where the Bruins will meet Vancouver tonight in Game 1 at Rogers Arena.

“But at the same time, in Winnipeg you’re going to have a full house. You’re going to have that hockey atmosphere, the excitement. I just think it’s a great hockey atmosphere and that’s what it’s all about.”

Hnidy said he thinks free agents won’t be scared away by the cold because of the hockey atmosphere. He might be among the free agents willing to go there this summer, but right now he’s focused on possibly winning a ring with the Bruins.

As far as Atlanta, Hnidy sort of knew all along the NHL wasn’t going to work there.

“To me, Winnipeg’s more of a hockey place. It’s a hockey market,” he said. “Atlanta, it’s not a great big sports city unless it’s college ball. You’re going to Winnipeg, hockey’s going to be the No. 1 show. I love the city, it’s been good to me and I look forward to an NHL club being there.”

Hnidy’s kids are looking forward to a team being closer to home too. And even if he doesn’t wind up playing for the Winnipeg/Manitoba franchise, he’ll at least get to play some road games where his family come easily get out to see him play.

Winnipeg might only have 700000 people but I bet you find more hockey fans in those 700000 people than 80% of the American markets. What’s the point of having a team in a huge market if nobody cares about the game? Atlanta is a huge city but the stands were empty. Winnipeg is smallish in size but the arena will be packed. Corporate boxes might be hard to come by but they actually do have by far the richest of any of the team owners so I wouldn’t worry too much about them.

The answer to the question of how many luxury boxes they’ll sell is. Everyone of them. Edmonton has basiscally the same population and Winnipeg has headquarters for many companies. If they had a new arena fifteen years ag0 and David Thomsons pocket change the team would have never left.

It wasn’t about fan support or corporate support. It was about breaking even with a .60 dollar and a barn.

They’re playing coy about the team name but it should be Jets. They can say what they want about “Jets” not being finalized but the thousands of Winnipeg fans chanting “bring back the jets”.
The masses have spoken.
This is more damage control than anything. The NHL will not make a fortune off of 15000 fans but they will not be bleeding money like they were with 5000 fans in Atlanta.

The old Winnigpeg arena was antiquated. No luxury boxes to draw corporte dollars. They sold out every game it’s not about fan support but rather revenue abilities. Now with the strong dollar, a new arena and salary cap limits it shouldn’t be a problem.

Getting older free agents to come might be a challenge but Edmonton and Ottawa aren’t first choice destinations either. Just like any small market team the management will be key. Ownership has deep pockets there. More so than any team in the league.